On October 24, the Sparkman HS Competition Band will attend the 29th Annual Mud Creek Marching Festival in Hanceville, Alabama. We are excited about this fortunate opportunity and proud of the work the students have put into the program this year.
The Mud Creek Marching Festival has been canceled due to the weather; however, the band will now attend the North Alabama Night of Bands event in Braly Stadium, Florence Alabama. Detailed information will be distributed to everyone soon.
North Alabama Night of Bands Details
- Where: Braly Stadium, Florence, Alabama (CLICK HERE for driving directions)
- Time: Warmup: 7:00pm, Performance is 7:45pm
- Parking: Car riders will park in front of Florence Middle School (see map) Students will leave their cases in the car and report directly to the warmup area as soon as they arrive. Tuba players that are car riders will have to find a way to go to the Equipment Truck and then to the warmup area. (this will be very time consuming)
- Spectators will have their temperature taken upon entry. I’m not sure at this time if there is a charge for entry but I think it is a free event. Braly Stadium has a clear bag policy.
Marching Band Only Students
Each year the Marching Band students are provided an opportunity to attend competitions as an observer. We do this so they may be exposed to the exciting atmosphere competitions provide. This year, we are not able to carry Marching Band students to the Festival; however, all students and parents can attend the event to support the Competition Band and be exposed to the world of marching band competitions. Anyone not performing will have to purchase a ticket and provide their own transportation.
The Marching Band students continue to work on learning how to march during class. We ask that all virtual students participate each day with the virtual broadcast during class to observe the marching techniques being taught. We will not have an after school Marching Band rehearsal this week.
Transportation
Students will have a choice to either ride on a school bus or have parents responsible for transportation to and from this event. Students and parents were sent a transportation google form on Friday morning (via email) that should be completed this weekend (10/18).
Car Riders
All car riders must arrive at SHS during the scheduled call time to pickup their uniform and will be dismissed after the Awards Ceremony of the competition. If the uniform is properly returned, students will not be required to travel back to SHS after the competition. Parents of the car riders must fill out a waiver form that will be be provided by Mr. Raney.
Bus Riders
Students will be assigned to a bus for the trip and will sit one to a seat. Each bus will have a maximum of 24 students per bus. Students riding the bus must remain masked during the entire trip. Instruments will be placed on the bus and cases will remain on the bus when they arrive (except Percussion, Sousaphones, Guard) Students may checkout after the event but will be required to use the standard checkout policy.
Bus 1: Flutes/Drum Majors (21)
Bus 2: Clarinets/Saxophone (21)
Bus 3: Trumpets (17)
Bus 4: Mellophones/Guard (17)
Bus 5: Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba (20)
Bus 6: Percussion (22)
Uniforms
Uniforms will be worn for the first time at the Festival on Saturday. Students should make sure their bibbers fit properly and they have the proper gloves, shoes, and socks prior to Saturday. Mrs. Parker and additional parents will be working throughout the week to prepare and fit jackets. Students should be in uniform before they leave SHS and may take off their jackets on the bus or in the car as they travel. Students should be in full uniform AT ALL TIMES in public.
Car riders will be required to arrive at SHS at the given call time in order to pick up their uniform. After the performance at the competition, all car riders must change out of their uniform and place it on the rack in the equipment truck.
Competition Information
The 29th Annual Mud Creek Marching festival will take place at Hanceville High School. The Sparkman Band will perform at 8:20pm and will stay for the awards ceremony that will take place at 9:15pm.
CostsStudents that are traveling on their own will be required to pay a $3 parking fee when they arrive. Students will then report to the band staging area in uniform while parents can enter the event to watch. Tickets are $5. Parents that travel separate from the school buses will not be considered as chaperones.
Travel InstructionsCLICK HERE for Google Map driving directions. Instructions from the Mud Creek Website:
From I-65 S
Follow I-65 S to County Rd 222 in Good Hope. Take the County Rd 222 exit from I-65 S
Take 24th St SW and US-31 S to Commercial St in Hanceville
Links
Official Festival Website
Mud Creek Marching Festival Facebook Page
Equipment Information
The Sparkman Band Equipment Truck (Little Pete) will be used to transport large equipment to the competition. The truck will be parked in the loading dock of the new band room before the end of the Saturday rehearsal. Only percussion equipment, sousaphones and guard equipment will be put on the truck. All other instruments will be transported on the school bus or with the car riders.
Schedule
- Tuesday (10/20)
- 3:45 – 5:00: Competition Band Rehearsal
- Thursday (10/22)
- 3:45 – 5:30pm: Competition Band Rehearsal
- Saturday (10/24)
- 9:00am – 11:00pm: Percussion Rehearsal
- 12:00pm – 2:00pm: Winds/Guard/Percussion Rehearsal
- 4:15pm – Call Time
- 4:45pm: Depart SHS, Travel to Braly Stadium
- 6:15pm: Arrive at Braly Stadium
- 7:15pm: Warmup
- 7:45pm: Performance
9:15pm: Awards Ceremony- 9:00pm: ESTIMATED Depart Braly Stadium
- 10:30pm: Estimated Arrival SHS